Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Frustration

Ugh. Two, 16 hr shifts, separated by a little restless sleep, trying to wedge myself in the rack against heavy seas. The stress level is through the roof out here as we find each problem compounded with another, just when we think the problem is solved. I'm so tense, unexpected noises are making me jump out of my skin and yet I'm guzzling coffee like water, just to stay coherent.

It's times like these that make me question what the fuck I am doing out here. The trips where you don't do your job, but instead fight with failed systems, bad data, incorrect procedures, extremely bad weather and a pissed-off client who's paying you tens of millions of dollars for garbage, seem to take years off your life. I nearly had a stroke this morning when I couldn't get the washing machine to start up. Good Lord, I'm in a bad place right now.

I wish I could snuggle up between PW & LP and sleep for a month, forgetting about this place and this lousy life out here, entirely. I would also give just about anything for a liter or two of distilled potato.

Nonetheless, they've got me trapped. I can't escape for home and there's no distilled potatoes onboard, so I'll carry on. With that, I'll Leave you with a picture of my latest, "ride". It had better ride well through the upcoming storm. The next 24 hrs are forecast to be at least as bad as the storm I "dead" blogged up in the Chukchi Sea, about a year and a half ago, where it nearly sank the damn ship. Good times.

Thanks Leann, I have a nice, comfy spot on the floor already picked out for tonight:)

Snog-she's damn fine ship. Sailed straight through the eye of a cat 5 hurricane off Australia two years ago. Unfortunately, WE bang around inside like nuts and bolts in a clothes dryer. Should prove to be an interesting night...